Network Hardware

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Notes

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A **Network Interface Card (NIC)** is required for a computer to connect to a network.
A NIC can be **wired** or **wireless** and allows a device to send and receive data over a network.
Every NIC has a unique **MAC address** assigned at the point of manufacture.
The NIC is a key piece of network hardware enabling connectivity.

MAC Addresses

A **MAC (Media Access Control) address** is a unique identifier for devices on a **LAN**.
MAC addresses are **static** (never change) and are assigned to the NIC during manufacturing.
A MAC address is **12 hexadecimal digits** (48 bits), usually grouped in pairs (e.g., AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF).
The first three pairs are the **manufacturer ID (OUI)**, the last three are the **serial number** of the NIC.
MAC addresses allow switches to forward data to the correct device on a LAN.

IP Addresses

An **IP (Internet Protocol) address** is a unique identifier for devices communicating over the **Internet (WAN)**.
IP addresses can be **static** (fixed) or **dynamic** (can change).
Dynamic IP addresses are assigned automatically by a **DHCP server**.
**IPv4** uses 4 blocks of denary numbers (0–255) separated by dots, 32 bits total (over 4 billion addresses).
**IPv6** uses 8 blocks of 4 hexadecimal digits separated by colons, 128 bits total (vastly more addresses).
A device's IP address changes when it moves to a different network.

Router

A **router** routes data packets between different networks (e.g., LAN to WAN/Internet).
It connects a local network to the wider Internet.
Routers can manage and prioritise data traffic to keep connections stable.
A router assigns IP addresses to devices on the network (often via DHCP).
Routers can also convert packets from one protocol to another.

Comparison: MAC vs IP Address

**MAC address** is static; **IP address** can be dynamic (change).
**MAC address** is used for communication on a **LAN**; **IP address** is used on a **WAN/Internet**.
MAC address is tied to the hardware (NIC); IP address is assigned by the network.

A router connects a local area network (LAN) to the wider Internet (WAN).

A MAC address is 12 hex digits: first 6 digits = manufacturer ID, last 6 = serial number.

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (4 decimal blocks); IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (8 hex blocks).

Practice questions

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1.What is the purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
Easy
- ATo allow a computer to connect to a network
- BTo assign IP addresses to devices
- CTo route data between different networks
- DTo amplify the network signal
2.What does MAC stand for?
Easy
- AMedia Access Control
- BMemory Address Control
- CMultiple Access Connection
- DMain Address Code
3.Which of the following is a characteristic of a MAC address?
Medium
- AIt is assigned by the network when a device connects
- BIt is static and never changes
- CIt is used to communicate over the Internet
- DIt is represented as 4 blocks of denary numbers
4.An IPv4 address is made up of how many bits?
Medium
- A32
- B48
- C64
- D128
5.A device moves from one network to another. Which of the following is true?
Hard
- AIts MAC address changes, but its IP address stays the same
- BIts IP address changes, but its MAC address stays the same
- CBoth its MAC and IP addresses change
- DNeither its MAC nor IP address changes
6.Which device is responsible for routing data packets between different networks?
Medium
- ASwitch
- BRouter
- CNetwork Interface Card
- DWireless Access Point
7.Which of the following is a valid IPv4 address?
Easy
- A192.168.1.1
- BFE80::1
- C00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
- D1234:5678:9ABC:DEF0:1234:5678:9ABC:DEF0
8.How many hexadecimal digits are in a MAC address?
Hard
- A8
- B12
- C16
- D32

More questions

9.Which of the following tasks is performed by a router?
Medium
- AAssigning MAC addresses to devices
- BForwarding data within a single local network
- CAssigning IP addresses to devices on a network
- DConverting data from digital to analogue signals
10.What is the main advantage of IPv6 over IPv4?
Easy
- AIt is easier to remember
- BIt provides a much larger address space
- CIt uses fewer bits
- DIt is compatible with older hardware
11.A switch uses which address to forward data to the correct device within a LAN?
Hard
- AIP address
- BMAC address
- CPort number
- DDomain name
12.Which of the following best describes a static IP address?
Medium
- AAn IP address that is assigned automatically and may change
- BAn IP address that is permanently assigned to a device
- CAn IP address that is used only for local networks
- DAn IP address that is the same as the MAC address
13.A company has a server that must always be reachable at the same address. Which type of IP address should be assigned to the server?
Medium
- ADynamic IP address
- BStatic IP address
- CPrivate IP address
- DPublic IP address
14.A network engineer configures a router to assign IP addresses to devices automatically. Which protocol is the router likely using?
Hard
- AHTTP
- BDHCP
- CDNS
- DFTP
15.A switch receives a data frame. It looks at the destination MAC address to decide which port to forward the frame to. Which address does the switch use?
Medium
- AIP address
- BMAC address
- CPort number
- DNetwork address
16.A data packet is sent from a computer in London to a server in Tokyo. Which device is primarily responsible for directing the packet across different networks?
Hard
- ASwitch
- BRouter
- CHub
- DBridge
17.A laptop moves from a home network to a coffee shop network. Which of the following will change?
Medium
- AMAC address
- BIP address
- CBoth MAC and IP address
- DNeither MAC nor IP address
18.How many bits are in an IPv6 address?
Medium
- A32
- B64
- C128
- D256
19.A company's network uses the IPv4 address 10.0.0.1 for its router. This address is within the range reserved for private networks. Which statement is true?
Hard
- AThe address is globally unique and routable on the Internet.
- BThe address can be used internally but not directly on the Internet.
- CThe address is an IPv6 address.
- DThe address is invalid because it starts with 10.
20.Which network hardware device connects a local area network (LAN) to the internet?
Easy
- ASwitch
- BRouter
- CHub
- DRepeater
21.A network technician observes that a device has a MAC address of 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Which part of this address identifies the manufacturer?
Hard
- A00:1A:2B
- B1A:2B:3C
- C3C:4D:5E
- D4D:5E:00
22.Which of the following is a function of a router?
Medium
- AAssigning MAC addresses to devices
- BConnecting a LAN to a WAN
- CAmplifying network signals
- DFiltering packets based on MAC addresses
23.A student sets up a small network with two computers connected directly via Ethernet cables without any additional hardware. Which statement about the MAC addresses is correct?
Medium
- AEach computer has the same MAC address.
- BThe MAC addresses are assigned by the operating system.
- CEach computer has a unique MAC address burned into its NIC.
- DThe MAC addresses change each time the computers are restarted.
24.A network technician is setting up a small office network. Which piece of hardware is essential for each computer to connect to the network?
Medium
- ANetwork Interface Card (NIC)
- BRouter
- CSwitch
- DWireless Access Point (WAP)
25.Which of the following best describes a MAC address?
Easy
- AA unique identifier assigned to a network interface card at manufacture
- BA unique identifier assigned to a device by the network router
- CA 32-bit address used for communication over the Internet
- DA temporary address that changes each time a device connects to a network
26.A student is comparing IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Which statement is correct?
Medium
- AIPv4 addresses are 32 bits, IPv6 addresses are 128 bits
- BIPv4 addresses are 128 bits, IPv6 addresses are 32 bits
- CIPv4 addresses are 48 bits, IPv6 addresses are 64 bits
- DBoth IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are 32 bits
27.A MAC address is made up of how many bits?
Easy
- A48 bits
- B32 bits
- C64 bits
- D128 bits
28.An IPv4 address is represented as four blocks of denary numbers. What is the maximum value in any block?
Hard
- A255
- B256
- C127
- D128
29.A network engineer is troubleshooting a connectivity issue. The switch is unable to forward a frame to the correct device. Which address does the switch use to make this decision?
Hard
- AMAC address
- BIP address
- CPort number
- DProtocol type
30.A network administrator configures a DHCP server. What is the primary function of this server?
Hard
- ATo automatically assign IP addresses to devices on the network
- BTo assign MAC addresses to network interface cards
- CTo route data packets between different networks
- DTo provide wireless connectivity to devices
31.Which of the following is a function of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
Easy
- ATo connect a computer to a network
- BTo route data between networks
- CTo assign IP addresses to devices
- DTo store network passwords
32.A MAC address is how many bits in length?
Easy
- A48 bits
- B32 bits
- C64 bits
- D128 bits
33.What is the purpose of a router in a network?
Easy
- ATo route data packets between different networks
- BTo connect devices within the same network
- CTo amplify wireless signals
- DTo convert data from digital to analog
34.What does DHCP stand for?
Easy
- ADynamic Host Configuration Protocol
- BDigital Host Control Protocol
- CDynamic Host Control Program
- DData Handling and Configuration Protocol
35.Which of the following is a function of a switch?
Medium
- AForwarding data frames based on MAC addresses
- BRouting data packets between different networks
- CAssigning IP addresses to devices
- DConnecting a LAN to the internet
36.Which of the following is an example of transmission media?
Easy
- AEthernet cable
- BRouter
- CSwitch
- DNetwork Interface Card
37.A student sets up a small network with two computers connected directly via Ethernet cables without any additional hardware. Which statement about the MAC addresses of these computers is correct?
Medium
- AEach computer has a unique MAC address that never changes
- BBoth computers have the same MAC address because they are on the same network
- CThe MAC addresses are assigned by the operating system when the connection is established
- DThe MAC addresses will change if the computers are moved to a different network
38.An IPv6 address is represented as how many blocks of hexadecimal digits?
Hard
- A8 blocks
- B4 blocks
- C16 blocks
- D6 blocks
39.Which of the following best describes the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?
Medium
- AMAC addresses are used on LANs; IP addresses are used on WANs
- BMAC addresses are assigned by the network; IP addresses are assigned by the manufacturer
- CMAC addresses can change; IP addresses are static
- DMAC addresses are 32 bits; IP addresses are 48 bits
40.What does NIC stand for?
Easy
- ANetwork Interface Card
- BNetwork Internet Connection
- CNetwork Integration Circuit
- DNetwork Information Centre

Slides

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A NIC is required for a computer to connect to a network.
It can be wired or wireless and allows sending/receiving data.
Every device with a NIC has a unique MAC address assigned during manufacturing.

What is the purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

To route data between different networks
To assign IP addresses to devices
To allow a computer to connect to a network and send/receive data
To store MAC addresses

MAC Addresses

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier for devices on a LAN.
It is static (never changes) and assigned to the NIC at manufacture.
Represented as 12 hexadecimal digits (48 bits), e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
First 3 pairs = manufacturer ID (OUI); last 3 pairs = serial number.

A MAC address is ____ hexadecimal digits (____ bits).

IP Addresses

An IP (Internet Protocol) address uniquely identifies devices on the Internet (WAN).
IP addresses can be static (fixed) or dynamic (changeable).
IPv4: 4 blocks of denary numbers (0-255), e.g., 192.168.1.1 (32 bits).
IPv6: 8 blocks of 4 hex digits, e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (128 bits).

Which of the following is true about IP addresses?

They are always static.
They are assigned to the NIC at manufacture.
They can be dynamic and change when a device connects to a different network.
They are 12 hexadecimal digits long.

Differences Between MAC and IP Addresses

MAC addresses are static; IP addresses can be dynamic.
MAC addresses are used for communication on a LAN; IP addresses are used on the Internet (WAN).
MAC addresses are assigned at manufacture; IP addresses are assigned by the network.

Which of these are true about MAC and IP addresses?

MAC addresses are used on the Internet.
IP addresses can change when a device moves to a different network.
MAC addresses are 48 bits long.
IP addresses are assigned at the point of manufacture.

Router

A router routes data packets between different networks (e.g., LAN to WAN).
It connects a local network to the Internet.
It can manage and prioritise data traffic to keep connections stable.
It assigns IP addresses to devices on the network.

Which of the following is NOT a task carried out by a router?

Sending and receiving packets of data
Connecting a local network to the internet
Assigning MAC addresses to devices
Assigning IP addresses to devices

Router Diagram

The diagram shows how a router connects a LAN to the Internet (WAN).
Devices on the LAN send data through the router to reach the Internet.

A router routes data ____ between different networks and can assign ____ addresses.

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